Finding the right bike(s) for me was also a learning process that took a few years and a few bikes.

I started out with a steel Giant Rincon rigid mtn bike. I didn't know anything about bikes, but it took me all over town and lots of commuting, shopping and yard saling(!)

Then I met my bf. He knows a lot about bikes. I learned a bit and decided I was ready to move up a bit. I decided I wanted a touring type bike and got a Novara Safari (mtn type touring bike) on sale for about $400. I rode that for a couple of years, mostly as a commuter, and then wanted something a bit faster. So I got a Trek 520 touring bike. I rode that bike for a few years, as a road and touring bike. When I decided I wanted a road bike, I had a much better idea of what I wanted. Using the measurements off the Trek 520 my bf helped me choose a Surly Pacer frame and a group that would suit my needs. I have been riding the Pacer for 4 years and I love it.

The Giant Rincon was sold to some friends of ours and it still gets ridden quite a bit.

I came across a NOS Novara Randonee frame (steel) for $15! So I replaced the aluminum Novara Safari frame with that, (I prefer steel) and sold off the Safari frame. The Randonee is my commuter now.

I got a Haro V4 hard tail mtn bike when bf was working for a Haro dealer. It was my first mtn bike with a shock. I don't mtn bike much, so I didn't want an expensive bike. Then I got a steel Gunnar Rockhound hard tail frame on ebay and moved the parts off the aluminum V4 and sold the frame.

I liked my first Surly so much that I wanted another. I wanted a Long Haul Trucker touring frame. I felt my 520 was a bit long in the top tube, the LHT is 2 cm shorter. So I got the LHT and sold off the 520 frame.

I can say I'm presently quite satisfied with all my bikes right now, not looking to buy another one or change much of anything on any of them. Never mind that I have ridden very little in the past couple of months, due to a Calculus class taking over my life! (The bikes will be there when I'm ready to ride again!)